Northern Corridor demonstrates major benefits

Northern Corridor Road of National Significance
demonstrates major benefits to Wellington and lower North
Island

Media Statement22 October
2013

Updated project information on Wellington’s
Northern Corridor Road of National Significance (RoNS)
released today by NZTA indicate that the Wellington Airport
to Levin route upgrade will deliver some $3 billion in
benefits to the region over 40 years, providing $1.60 back
for each dollar invested.

“It’s encouraging to see
revised data on the project confirming positive economic
benefits for this important strategic link,” said Stephen
Selwood CEO of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure
Development.

“The project summary published today
demonstrates exactly why this project is essential for the
future growth and development of the Wellington
region.

“The morning journey to the CBD from Levin will
be 40 minutes faster on completion of the route. Aside from
the obvious benefits provided to freight and commercial
traffic, a reduction of this scale puts more people within
working distance of the capital.

“The direct impact will
be an estimated 865 permanent jobs created in the region
but, indirectly, a larger labour pool from which to draw
employees means employers have a greater chance of finding
the right person for the job. We now know that this leads to
productivity improvements which are not easily reflected in
analysis.

“Interestingly, however, the economic
imperative behind the Northern Corridor is as much about
resilience and safety benefits as it is about travel time
savings and jobs.

“The importance of providing a safe
route to access New Zealand’s severely earthquake-prone
political centre and third largest city in the event of
natural or man-made disaster cannot be over-estimated. Even
a moderate shake today could see State Highway 1 out of
commission for up to 6 months.

“Safety too will receive
a big boost. The existing road is among the worst accident
black spot corridors in New Zealand with one serious injury
or fatal crash per year for every five kilometres of road.
The new road will be built to modern safety design standards
and is expected to save up to 40 lives over a five year
period.

“As a long-term strategic investment for the
region, the Northern Corridor will be the most significant
since the airport was redeveloped in the 1950s. When
completed in the 2020s, the high quality road will become a
major stimulus to growth and source of resilience for
Wellington and the lower North Island,” Selwood
says.

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